2006 Update: On January 27, 2005, Perky produced nine beautiful puppies sired by Andy. All pups have gone to their new homes, but please enjoy reading what made this litter so special, and this Pupblog of their days at Kelliwic.

She has been temperament tested, wormed, and vaccinated. To be considered for this puppy, please write and tell me about yourself!

March 9, 2005: It's all about Rover!

March 7, 2005: Eight pups of the nine pups are doing super, but this entry is about “Rover.”

On February 18, it was obvious that something was dramatically wrong with the male I nicknamed “Rover,” and that his life was in danger. I rushed him to the emergency clinic, where they took him from me right away. The x-rays appeared to indicate that he had been born with a herniated diaphragm. Not only did that make it difficult for him to breathe, but it was probable that his stomach and possibly intestines were in his lung cavity, making it ever harder to breathe and difficult to process food. Two of the doctors at my regular vet hospital confirmed this the following day. A decision was made to do surgery, but that we’d wait till he was 8 weeks old, for multiple reasons. This surgery would be very risky for Rover, and the odds that he would live through surgery, and recover afterwards were very, very slim, but it was better than nothing.

The weekend that Rover and the other pups were 4 ½ weeks old, Rover had two extreme episodes in which he very nearly died. I called my vets to advise them of his condition, and ask whether he should be euthanized. He was clearly suffering, and might not live to be 8 weeks old. They decided to attempt the surgery March 2, just before the pups were 5 weeks old. The surgery was a big event at the vet group, with most of the staff gathered round to watch. Rover lived through the surgery, woke up 10 minutes later, and soon left the heating pad on the floor where he’d been placed and started walking around the room. When I picked him up that afternoon, he came right out of his crate wagging and happy.

At five days after surgery, Rover is doing great! He’s got a super attitude, is very frisky, and everything seems to be going well. We’re not out of the woods yet, but if he does make it, he’ll be able to lead a totally normal life, with no restrictions on his activities. He will stay with me.

I am very pleased to report that the other eight pups are all very strong and healthy, and becoming “little terrors!”

February 22, 2005: The pups are eating "mush" full time, and seem to be very happy about it. Perky started producing some milk again, but it was not anything close to what the pups needed, so they went from being tube fed full time to eating the mush full time. Perky is still VERY attentive, and loves to visit with them. Now that their sharp little puppy teeth are coming in, the time she allows them to try to "nurse" is very short!

February 17, 2005 The pups had their first pan-fed meal today, a lovely mush of puppy kibble and milk replacer formula. They all ate till they could hardly stand, and of course were covered in mush from nose to tail!

February 15, 2005 A spike in the temperature (about 50-55 degrees) today, so I brought the pups out in an ex-pen to feel the grass and smell the air for a few minutes. The neighbor kids have been dying to see the puppies for the first time, so they were beside themselves to have the awesome responsibility of letting the pups snuggle into their laps to keep them warm. We were out for about 10 minutes, and the pups stayed warm and the boys' smiles were priceless.

February 14, 2005 Lots of play today! Even though they're still a bit unsteady on their feet, they are already starting rough-and-tumble play.

February 13, 2005 Rover wagged in greeting to a human stranger (first observation of a deliberate welcome). Pups getting little tooth nubs.

February 12, 2005 Last day of Super Dog program. Introduced "Dog Show Racket" tape.

February 10, 2005 They are two weeks old today! Everyone's eyes and ears have opened. Suddenly, they are a lot more active. After a few practice rounds, the whole pack has started sitting for longer periods of time and seem to love sitting. Maybe they feel more grown up. Big Girl is "thinking out of the box," climbing out, and the others will surely be piling out right behind her.

February 8, 2005 What an amazing (and exhausting) week it’s been! The pups are handled often and lovingly, with scritchies, kisses, and hands all over…in mouths, between toes, and so on. They also get lots of “quiet time” alone with Mom. So far, so good. Pups initiating play with each other, instead of using each other for warmth and comfort (or climbing over each other to get where they're going). First one observed initiating play was Fido.

February 6, 2005 Another car ride. Two hours in a crate, and no one made a peep.

February 5, 2005 Rover’s eyes are opening; some pups trying to “run!”

February 3, 2005 After the initial weight loss all pups experienced the first three days, Shep is the first pup to break the one-pound weight barrier.

February 2, 2005 Several pups begin walking.

February 1, 2005 Perky has mastitis and starts antibiotic regimen. Full-time tube feeding begins. Perky is still very keen to mother them in all ways, nesting with them, cleaning them, ensuring everyone is in the box and keeping an eye on anyone being handled, and allowing them to nurse (or try to).

January 31, 2005 Dewclaws removed by our vet (more compliments on how strong the pups are!). All pups have gained weight daily from this point on.

January 30, 2005 A big day for the bairns, as they were three days old, and I began the Super Dog “Bio Sensor” program. Supplemental tube feedings began today as well. The pups were doing well, but did not gain weight in the first few days, so I started helping them with tube feedings.

January 27, 2005 Perky successfully delivered nine live, robust puppies on Thursday! She required a little veterinary assistance, but fortunately, no surgery was neccessary. The vet and staff were impressed with how strong and lively all the pups were immediately after birth. Perky produced six girls and three boys, and is an excellent mother! The pups are all similar in size and weight, most of them between 12 and 13 ounces. The biggest is a girl, who weighed over 14 ounces.